Tag: Fate point

The Dark Texts – What You Need to Know

nataix

I’ve reached a point where I feel comfortable posting some of the actual game text I’ve written in the hopes of getting some useful feedback. I’ve got a fair bit written, so there should be enough to get some first impressions and thoughts on presentation. I’ve updated the draft content posted to this point to using a knowledge base system, which should make it easier to read through.

For the time being I am calling this work-in-progress game of mine Our Terrible Fate. That may change down the road, but for now it will do.

There’s a lot of background and detailed explanation elsewhere on the site, but here is where I am going to post some of the actual draft text.

I’m always appreciative of feedback – be it criticism, comment, or questions. You can post feedback on the base113 Games subreddit.

Update: A PDF of the first chapter is now available as well. While there’s not much art, the layout should be much easier for many to read. Just click the link through to the draft text, and you should see a link to the PDF version along with an example image of the layout.

Available excerpts of this dark text currently include what is essentially the first chapter of the book, which will serve two purposes:

  • Giving a new player this chapter should tell them everything they need to know to begin play.
  • This chapter should introduce new Keepers to the game, give them an idea of how the game is run, and how running it may be somewhat different from other games.

Links to the current draft content and our subreddit (to post feedback) are provided below:

Delve into the Dark Texts

base113 Games subreddit

Searching for the Elder Sign

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Since I’m using Fate Core as the basis for this project, I’ll obviously need something to track Fate points at the table. At the same time, I’m leveraging some board game mechanics and components, so I want to get as much out of how I track Fate points.

I hit upon using double-sided tokens. The tokens can be used to track both Fate points as well as free invokes on aspects in play. So I want the tokens to also indicate who has the free invoke – the Keeper or the players. That gives me one Keeper “bad” side and one player/investigator “good” side. Naturally, the first thing that came to mind for the player side was the Elder sign.

Derleth Elder Sign, as taken from Wikipedia

The Elder sign features in practically every Mythos-themed game in existence. There are two predominant version of the Elder sign. The first is based on a design originating with August Derleth and is used in most of Fantasy Flight Games’ Arkham Files products. It involves a flaming eye in a stylized star.

Lovecraft Elder Sign, as taken from Wikipedia

The second is based on sketches by Lovecraft and resembles a branch, though it’s sometimes confused for antlers. Unfortunately, I’m not particularly wild about either of these.

The Derleth sign just feels too “generic occult” with a five-pointed star. The Lovecraft branch is more unique to the Mythos, but it’s also a bit too simple for my tastes. And the fact that many people instinctively think antlers when they see it…

The Matzke Elder sign, as illustrated in the Necronomicon

Fortunately, not too long ago I came across another version of the Elder sign: the Matzke Elder sign. This one is based on Lovecraft’s original branch, but makes it more complex. It appears a bit more ritualistic, and more importantly, it ties the sign to “the stars being right”. Anyone familiar with the Mythos will recognize this idea, and Matzke’s Elder sign hits on the idea that the branch design is rooted in star constellations.

I really like this design, so using it for one side of my Fate point tokens is perfect. I’ll write more about these tokens and their Keeper sign soon, but first: The creator of this version of the Elder sign, Christan Matzke, is creating a full translation and imaging of the legendary Necronomicon. I’ve been helping support the project on Patreon and could not be more pleased with the pages I’ve received so far. See for yourself, at ProppingUptheMythos on Patreon.